Livestock gate latch

ABSTRACT

A latch is provided for use on gates to be particularly utilized on livestock enclosures. The latch comprises in combination a latching member and a keeper. The latching member comprises a housing having a latching bolt slidably mounted therein and spring loaded in extended position. A bracket is affixed to the bolt terminating in a finger hold, the bracket and finger hold being entirely recessed within the housing to prevent actuation by animals contained within the enclosure. In an improved version, both ends of the bolt extend out of the housing and the bolt is spring biased to a median position. The bolt may be moved in either direction from the center position by grasping the finger hold, thereby permitting the latch to be used either for right-hand opening or left-hand opening doors.

United States Patent Meyer [54] LIVESTOCK GATE LATCH [72] Inventor:Iv'an W. Meyer, Rural Route No. l,

Sherwood, Mich. 49089 [22] Filed: Feb. 8, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 113,231

[52] US. Cl. ..292/175, 292/ 162, 292/244, 292/340, 292/D1G. 13 [51]Int. Cl. ..EOSc 1/04, E05b 15/02 [58] Field of Search ..292/145, 146,147, 148, 149, 292/150, 151, 156, 175, 162, 244, 340, DIG. 13; 70/462,DIG. 58, DIG. 66

[451 Oct. 10,1972

1,886,402 11/1932 Johnson ..292/340 X Primary Eaiaminer-Albert 0. Craig,Jr. Attorney--Roy A. Plant and Samuel Kurlandsky ABSTRACT A latch isprovided for use on gates to be particularly utilized on livestockenclosures. The latch comprises in combination a latching member and akeeper. The latching member comprises a housing having a latching boltslidably mounted therein and spring loaded in extended position. Abracket is affixed to the bolt terminating in a finger hold, the bracketand finger hold being entirely recessed within the housing to preventactuation by animals contained within the enclosure. In an improvedversion, both ends of the bolt extend out of the housing and the bolt isspring biased to a median position. The bolt may be moved in eitherdirection from the center position by grasping the finger hold, therebypermitting the latch to be used either for right-hand opening orleft-hand opening doors.

9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures P'ATENTED not 1 0 I972 INVENTOR IVAN W.MEYER ATTORNEYS LIVESTOCK GATE LATCH BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Commondoor or gate latches have not proven to be satisfactory for use on gatesused with enclosures such as barns or enclosed fences used to restraindomestic animals. It has been found that such latches can be actuated byengagement of the bolt mechanism by the nose, shoulder, hip, or foot ofthe animal, thereby releasing the door or gate of the enclosure in whichthey are restrained. Some latches have been disclosed in the prior artwhich are designed to avoid this problem. However, they are generallyquite intricate and expensive to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a door and gate latch for use on gates mounted onenclosures for livestock which are so designed that they cannot beactuated by the animals restrained within the enclosure.

It is another object to provide a latch of the type described which isstrong and which will provide reliable operation over extended periodsof time.

It is still an additional object to provide a door latch which isrelatively inexpensive and not unduly complicated to construct.

. It is still another object to provide a latch of the type describedwhich is adapted to be mounted on either right handor left hand-doors orgates without further modification.

, It is a still further object to provide a latch of the type describedwhich is not only inoperable by farm animals, but may also be operatedfrom the opposite side of a door or the like, which is especiallyadvantageous where the latching assembly is on a door which completelycloses the door opening.

Still further objects and advantages of the invention will appear as thedescription proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention,then, consists of the gate or door latch herein fully described andparticularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawing and thefollowing description setting forth in detail an embodiment of theinvention, such embodiment illustrating, however, but one of the variousways in which the principle of the invention may be used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the annexed drawing:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the latch of the present invention shownmounted on a gate.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the latching member of theinvention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken at the line III- III of FIG. 1,looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view taken at the line IV-IV of FIG. 1,looking in the direction of the arrows.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT Referring more particularly toFIGS. 1 and 2, the latch of the present invention is shown comprising alatching member 11 and a keeper 12. The latching member 11 comprises ahousing 13 mounted on a gate 14 by means of bolts or screws 15. Thekeeper 12 is affixed to the gate receiving frame 16 by means of bolts orscrews 17. Alternatively, the keeper may be in the form of a simplestaple and it is intended that the draw ing be considered todiagrammatically illustrate same.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the housing 13 is shownin greater detail and comprises a front wall 18, an upper wall 19, sidewalls 20 and 21 and rear flanges 22 and 23. The bolts or screws 15extend through apertures (not shown) provided in the flanges 22 and 23.Apertures 24 and 25 are preferably provided in the front wall 18 tofacilitate insertion of the bolts 15.

As shown in detail, particularly in FIG. 3, a latching bolt 30 isslidably mounted in apertures (not shown) provided in the side walls 20and 21. An actuating bracket 31 is mounted on the bolt 30, in the formof a yoke having spaced apart vertically extending arms 32 and 33,laterally extending arms 34 and 35, and a finger-engaging tab or hold36. The latching bolt 30 extends through apertures (not shown) providedin the vertically extending arms 32 and 33. The bracket 31 is restrainedaxially with respect to the bolt 30 by means of retaining pins 37 and38, such as cotter pins, affixed in apertures provided in the bolt 30.Helical compression springs 39 and 40 bias the bracket 31 and bolt 30 toa centrally located normally at rest position. As shown particularly inFIGS. 1, 3 and 4, a lug 45 is preferably affixed in an aperture providedin the latching bolt 30 and extends through a slot 46 provided in thegate or door 14, to permit the latch to be opened from the side of thegate opposite that upon which the latch is mounted. This lug 45 isespecially desirable where the door or gate 14 completely closes theopening in which it fits, and prevents reaching over same to operatelatching member 1 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the keeper 12 is in the form of asubstantially triangular tube segment having a rear wall 47 providedwith apertures through which the anchoring screws 17 extend into thegate receiving frame 16. Recesses 48 and 49 are preferably provided atthe ends of the keeper 12 to facilitate the insertion of the screws 17.The keeper l2 additionally has a proximal wall 50 and a distal wall 51.A keeper slot 52 is provided in the proximal wall 50 which receives andretains the end of the bolt 30 which may have a rounded or tapered endto facilitate latching. The proximal wall is preferably inclined, sothat as the gate is closed, the end 53 of the bolt engages the proximalsurface 50 and is forced to recede until the keeper slot 52 is engaged,the compression spring 39 then forces the bolt end 53 to extend into andthrough the slot 52, thereby latching the gate.

The latch 10 may be utilized with gates which swing in the oppositedirection from that of the gate shown in the drawing. To do so, it ismerely necessary to invert the keeper 12 and to mount the keeper andlatching member on the other side of the gate so that the latching boltend 54 engages the keeper in like manner to that described above. Thusthe preferred form of the latch is adapted for use with either a righthandor left hand-opening gate.

Although the present latch has been shown and described in theembodiment in which it is adapted to be mounted on either a right handorleft hand-swing door, the structure could be modified so that only oneend of the bolt extends from the housing. The latch would then requirethat it be used with a gate which swings in the proper direction. Thekeeper 12 may be provided in any of a large variety of differentstructures and shapes. If desired, the proximal wall may be madeperpendicular to the surface upon which it is mounted. It would then benecessary to either manually retract the latch bolt when the gate wasbeing closed or else taper the end of the bolt so that same would beactuated when brought into contact with keeper 12.

The latch of the present invention has a number of advantages over thoseof the prior art. The entire bolt actuating mechanism such as thebracket 31 is recessed within the housing 13. Consequently it cannot beactuated as a result of an animals rubbing his nose or leg or otherparts of this body against the latch. On the other hand, the finger tabor hold 36 can be readily grasped by the fingers of a person andactuated. The latch is also exceptionally strong and positively acting.It is relatively inexpensive to produce and requires only readilyavailable materials. Additionally, in the embodiment shown, it can beutilized in conjunction with either a right handor left hand-openinggate.

While but one form of the invention has been shown and described, otherforms within the spirit and scope of the invention will now be apparentto those skilled in the art. Therefore, the embodiment shown in thedrawing is to be considered as merely setting forth the invention forillustrative purposes, and is not intended to limit the scope of theinvention herein described and shown. Also directional terms such asbottom, back," right, and left have been used to facilitate explainingand claiming the invention in the position shown in the drawing and arenot to be considered as further limiting the invention.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed,instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the apparatusherein disclosed, provided the features stated by any of the followingclaims or the equivalent of such stated features be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. An animal-proof latch comprising:

A. a latching member comprising 1. a housing having a main wall, sidewalls, and a top wall,

2. means for affixing said housing to a surface,

3. a latching bolt slidably mounted in apertures provided in said sidewalls of said housing and having both ends of said bolt extending out ofsame,

4. spring means biasing said latching bolt to a central position andarranged to permit either end of said latching bolt to be forciblyretracted,

5. actuating means mounted on said bolt having 5 finger-engaging means,said actuating means and said finger-engaging means being completelyrecessed within said housing,

6. an opening at the bottom of said housing permitting an operatorsfingers to be extended therein for actuating said bolt; and

B. keeper means adapted to be affixed to a surface,

and havin an o nin on its si e ad'ac nt sa'd latch, adagted to ngage andretai n an lan of said latching bolt.

2. An animal-proof latch according to claim 1, wherein said boltactuating means comprising a yoke having spaced-apart arms and aperturesprovided in said arms through which said bolt passes, meanssubstantially restraining said arms on said bolt for movementcorresponding to axial movement of the latter, and a pair of helicalcompression springs biasing said bolt to a centrally located restposition.

3. An animal-proof latch according to claim 1, wherein a lug is affixedto said bolt and is positioned to extend rearwardly from said housing,whereby said bolt may be actuated from the side of said gate opposite tothat on which said latch is mounted.

4. An animal-proof latch according to claim I, having a pair of flangeson the back of said housing and extending from said side walls andhaving apertures provided therein for mounting said housing on asurface.

5. An animal-proof latch according to claim 4, wherein said pair offlanges are intumed toward each other and apertures are provided in thefront wall of said housing to provide access for inserting screws formounting said housing on a surface.

6. An animal-proof latch according to claim 1, wherein said keeper is inthe shape of a tubular section having a slot in one wall thereof adaptedto receive and retain an end of said latching bolt.

7. An animal-proof latch according to claim 6, wherein the wallcontaining said slot is inclined, whereby when the gate on which saidlatching member is mounted is closed, an end of said latching bolt isengaged and forcibly retracted until said bolt end engages said slot.

8. An animal-proof latch according to claim 6, wherein said keeper isprovided with an aperture at each end adapted to receive mountingscrews.

9. An animal-proof latch according to claim 8, wherein the upper portionof said keeper is provided with recesses to permit access to saidmounting screws.

1. An animal-proof latch comprising: A. a latching member comprising 1.a housing having a main wall, side walls, and a top wall,
 2. means foraffixing said housing to a surface,
 3. a latching bolt slidably mountedin apertures provided in said side walls of said housing and having bothends of said bolt extending out of same,
 4. spring means biasing saidlatching bolt to a central position and arranged to permit either end ofsaid latching bolt to be forcibly retracted,
 5. actuating means mountedon said bolt having finger-engaging means, said actuating means and saidfinger-engaging means being completely recessed within said housing, 6.an opening at the bottom of said housing permitting an operator''sfingers to be extended therein for actuating said bolt; and B. keepermeans adapted to be affixed to a surface, and having an opening, on itsside adjacent said latch, adapted to engage and retain an end of saidlatching bolt.
 2. means for affixing said housing to a surface,
 2. Ananimal-proof latch according to claim 1, wherein said bolt actuatingmeans comprising a yoke having spaced-apart arms and apertures providedin said arms through which said bolt passes, means substantiallyrestraining said arms on said bolt for movement corresponding to axialmovement of the latter, and a pair of helical compression springsbiasing said bolt to a centrally located rest position.
 3. a latchingbolt slidably mounted in apertures provided in said side walls of saidhousing and having both ends of said bolt extending out of same,
 3. Ananimal-proof latch according to claim 1, wherein a lug is affixed tosaid bolt and is positioned to extend rearwardly from said housing,whereby said bolt may be actuated from the side of said gate opposite tothat on which said latch is mounted.
 4. An animal-proof latch accordingto claim 1, having a pair of flanges on the back of said housing andextending from said side walls and having apertures provided therein formounting said housing on a Surface.
 4. spring means biasing saidlatching bolt to a central position and arranged to permit either end ofsaid latching bolt to be forcibly retracted,
 5. actuating means mountedon said bolt having finger-engaging means, said actuating means and saidfinger-engaging means being completely recessed within said housing, 5.An animal-proof latch according to claim 4, wherein said pair of flangesare inturned toward each other and apertures are provided in the frontwall of said housing to provide access for inserting screws for mountingsaid housing on a surface.
 6. An animal-proof latch according to claim1, wherein said keeper is in the shape of a tubular section having aslot in one wall thereof adapted to receive and retain an end of saidlatching bolt.
 6. an opening at the bottom of said housing permitting anoperator''s fingers to be extended therein for actuating said bolt; andB. keeper means adapted to be affixed to a surface, and having anopening, on its side adjacent said latch, adapted to engage and retainan end of said latching bolt.
 7. An animal-proof latch according toclaim 6, wherein the wall containing said slot is inclined, whereby whenthe gate on which said latching member is mounted is closed, an end ofsaid latching bolt is engaged and forcibly retracted until said bolt endengages said slot.
 8. An animal-proof latch according to claim 6,wherein said keeper is provided with an aperture at each end adapted toreceive mounting screws.
 9. An animal-proof latch according to claim 8,wherein the upper portion of said keeper is provided with recesses topermit access to said mounting screws.